MULTI-PLATINUM SINGER-SONGWRITER AND THREE TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE JEWEL SIGNS ON TO MENTOR AND JUDGE THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT 'NASHVILLE STAR' ON NBC

MULTI-PLATINUM SINGER-SONGWRITER AND THREE TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE JEWEL SIGNS ON TO MENTOR AND JUDGE THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT 'NASHVILLE STAR' ON NBC

"Nashville Star" Premieres on Monday, June 9 from 9:30-11 p.m. (ET)

BURBANK � April 9, 2008 � Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter and three time Grammy nominee Jewel has signed on to find the next "Nashville Star" when the series premieres on NBC on Monday, June 9 (9:30-11 p.m. ET). Jewel joins previously announced judge/mentor John Rich -- the producer of her latest album, "Perfectly Clear" and one half of the country duo Big & Rich.

"As a young artist, I really benefited from having great mentors like Bob Dylan and Merle Haggard. They took me under their wings and encouraged me to stand up for things that, as an artist, are important. They constantly reminded me that an artist's only concern is being great, not being famous. If you are truly great, success should follow," stated Jewel. "I am so excited to be a part of Nashville Star, to help mentor young artists and cultivate their singing, songwriting and playing and to encourage and continue that tradition."

Jewel, who hosted Nashville Star last season, continues her commitment to the show, making time in her busy tour schedule to once again join the search for the next great music artist. With her success not only as a mainstream rock/folk artist as well her recent crossover into the country genre, Jewel will provide a unique insight to the music industry and be an experienced mentor to the budding artists.

"With Jewel as a judge and mentor, the contestants will be learning from an artist that personifies American music," said executive producer Howard T. Owens, managing director of Reveille LLC. "She is an amazing singer/songwriter, musician and performer that will give great insight to both the contestants and television viewers and that again elevates the competition with her participation in the show this season."

From the remote tundra of her Alaskan youth to the triumph of international stardom, Jewel has traveled a singular road as an acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet, actress and painter. The three-time Grammy nominee, hailed by The Times of London as "the most sparkling female singer-songwriter since Joni Mitchel," continues to explore new musical avenues from the simplicity of acoustic-driven folk to the embrace of rock, pop, country, blues, jazz and classical influences. To date, Jewel has sold over 27 million albums worldwide, enjoying career longevity rare among her generation of artists. Jewel's personal odyssey, partly chronicled on her twelve-times RIAA platinum debut album Pieces of You came to full flower with her last album Goodbye Alice in Wonderland. Jewel's first country album, " Perfectly Clear" will be released on June 3, with her current single "Stronger Woman" already climbing the country music charts.

"Nashville Star" is the original grassroots talent search to find America's next great country music star and was the longest-running competition series on cable before moving to NBC. The first five seasons of the series have launched the careers of promising artists including Chris Young, Buddy Jewel, Miranda Lambert, Lance Miller and Angela and Zac Hacker -- the siblings who made it a family affair by coming in first and second, respectively, last season.

Multi platinum singer songwriter Billy Ray Cyrus will host "Nashville Star," where this year's winner will again receive a Warner Bros. Records contract. AEG Live is also a show partner.

"Nashville Star" is created by Reveille and produced by 495 Productions. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens ("American Gladiators"), Mark Koops ("The Biggest Loser") and Sally Ann Salsano ("Design Star," "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila") serve as executive producers.